Apparatus and method for installing a belt

Abstract

A tool for operatively coupling a drive mechanism to a driven component is provided. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft. The tool includes at least two members. Each member includes an inner surface forming an inner lip extending along a first axial edge of each member. The inner lip is positioned within a groove defined within the drive shaft. Each member also includes an outer surface and a channel defined within the outer surface. The outer surface is tapered between the channel and the first axial edge. The tool further includes at least one seal removably coupled to the at least two members. The at least one seal is configured to retain the at least two members about the drive shaft.

1 . A tool for operatively coupling a drive mechanism to a driven component, said drive mechanism including a drive shaft, said tool comprising:
 at least two members, each member comprising an inner surface forming an inner lip at a first axial edge of each member, said inner lip positioned within a groove defined within the drive shaft, each said member further comprising an outer surface and a channel defined within said outer surface, said outer surface tapered between said channel and said first axial edge; and   at least one seal removably coupled to said at least two members, said at least one seal configured to retain said at least two members about the drive shaft.   
   
   
       2 . A tool in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said tool further comprises an outer portion extending from said outer surface along said first axial edge of each member. 
   
   
       3 . A tool in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said drive shaft is configured to engage a belt comprising a plurality of ribs. 
   
   
       4 . A tool in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said outer portion is configured to maintain said belt in contact with the drive shaft during installation of said belt. 
   
   
       5 . A tool in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said at least one seal is positioned within said channel, and said at least one seal is configured to hold said at least two members adjacent one another. 
   
   
       6 . A tool in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the drive shaft comprises an outer surface, each said inner surface is configured to correspond to said outer surface of the drive shaft. 
   
   
       7 . A tool in accordance with  claim 1  wherein each said inner surface is arcuate, said inner surfaces positioned adjacent one another to define an opening extending therethrough, said opening is configured to extend around a portion of the drive shaft. 
   
   
       8 . A tool in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said tool further comprises a second axial edge opposing said first axial edge and a flange portion, said flange portion extends from said channel towards said second axial edge. 
   
   
       9 . A tool in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said tool is configured to be removable from the drive shaft such that applying pressure to said second axial edge releases said inner lip from within said groove defined within the drive shaft. 
   
   
       10 . A tool in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said tool comprises at least one of a metal, alloy, composite and plastic material. 
   
   
       11 . A tool in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said at least one seal is an O-ring. 
   
   
       12 . A drive mechanism for an appliance comprising:
 a motor including a drive shaft; and   a tool configured to couple a belt to the drive shaft, said tool comprising at least two members, each member comprising an inner surface forming an inner lip at a first axial edge of each member, said inner lip positioned within a groove defined within said drive shaft, each said member further comprising an outer surface, and a channel defined within said outer surface, said outer surface tapered between said channel and said first axial edge, and at least one seal removably coupled to said at least two members, said at least one seal configured to retain said at least two members about said drive shaft.   
   
   
       13 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said belt further comprises a plurality of ribs, each said member further comprises an outer portion configured to maintain said belt in contact with said drive shaft. 
   
   
       14 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said at least one seal is positioned within said channel, said at least one seal is configured to hold said at least two members in contacting relationship. 
   
   
       15 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said each said member further comprises a second axial edge and a flange portion, said flange portion extends from said channel towards said second axial edge, said tool is configured to be removable from the drive shaft such that applying pressure to said second axial edge releases said inner lip from within said groove defined within the drive shaft. 
   
   
       16 . A drive mechanism in accordance with  claim 12  wherein each said inner surface is arcuate, said inner surfaces of said members positioned with respect to one another to define an opening extending therethrough, said opening is configured to extend around a portion of the drive shaft. 
   
   
       17 . A method of assembling a drive mechanism, said method comprising:
 providing a drive mechanism including a motor including a drive shaft; and   coupling a belt to the drive shaft with a tool including at least two members, each member including an inner surface forming an inner lip at a first axial edge of each member, the inner lip positioned within a groove defined within the drive shaft, each member further comprising an outer surface, and a channel defined within the outer surface, the outer surface tapered between the channel and the first axial edge, at least one seal removably coupled to the at least two members, the at least one seal configured to retain the at least two members about the drive shaft.   
   
   
       18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the tool further includes an outer portion extending outwardly from said outer surface along said first axial edge of each member and the belt further includes a plurality of ribs, said method further comprising positioning the outer portion between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs. 
   
   
       19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the tool further includes a second axial edge and a flange portion, the flange portion extending from the channel towards a second axial edge, said method further comprising removing the tool from the drive shaft wherein applying pressure to the second axial edge releases the inner lip from within the groove defined within the drive shaft. 
   
   
       20 . A drive shaft for operatively coupling a drive mechanism to a driven component, said drive shaft comprising:
 a first tapered portion; and   a substantially cylindrical portion extending from said first tapered portion, said cylindrical portion including a plurality of circumferential grooves configured to engage a portion of a belt for facilitating maintaining the belt in contact with said cylindrical portion.   
   
   
       21 . A drive shaft in accordance with  claim 20  wherein said drive shaft defines an opening extending therethough.